6:30 PM FIRE UPDATE
Published on July 15, 2024
FIRE RESPONSE: Firefighters and partners continue to respond to the brush fire threatening multiple structures in Kaumakani. As of this update, the fire has scorched an area estimated at 1,000 acres between Hanapēpē and Kaumakani.
EVACUATIONS: Area residents in Kaumakani are advised to evacuate immediately due to a fast-moving brush fire. Kaua‘i Police Department officers are conducting door-to-door evacuations.
KAUA'I BUS: The Kaua‘i Bus is on standby to evacuate residents near Aloha Sweet Delites.
WATER NOTICE: The Department of Water (DOW) has issued a water conservation notice for customers from Hanapēpē to Kekaha until further notice. Customers are advised to limit water use to essential needs only to avoid a water service outage.
ROAD CLOSURE: Kaumuali‘i Highway remains closed from Lele Road in Hanapēpē to Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites. For updates on road closures, call 808-241-1725.
SHELTER INFO: Two shelters are currently open – one at Waimea High School, and one at Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center. The Kalāheo Neighborhood Center shelter has been stood down. If you are west of the road closure needing shelter, please head to Waimea High School. If you are east of the road closure, please head to Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center.
EOC ACTIVATED: The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center remains fully activated.
KPD DISPATCH: Kaua‘i Police Dispatch advises the community not to call 9-1-1 for updates. Only call for EMERGENCIES. Dispatchers are being inundated with too many calls.
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I SUMMER FUN: All children have been picked up from all Summer Fun locations.
KIUC INFO: The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has deenergized approximately 378 members in Hanapepe, Kaumakani, and Pakala to assist with the firefighting efforts. Due to the prolonged nature of this event, all members in Kekaha, Mana and Kokee will be de-energized beginning at approximately 6:30 pm today. Waimea will remain powered for the time being in order to support KVMH and the designated west side shelter. Members in Waimea are encouraged to conserve power to the greatest extent possible. Members without power due to this incident should prepare for an extended outage, as KIUC will not restore power until clearance is provided by KEMA and the Kauai Fire Department, and all poles and lines have been inspected and deemed safe for reenergization.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: DOH encourages impacted residents and visitors to take appropriate actions to protect against smoke exposure. Additional information to plan, prepare and protect yourself before, during and after a wildfire can be found at the American Lung Association’s website at: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/emergencies-and-natural-disasters/wildfires.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
According to a preliminary report, Kaua‘i Police Dispatch received a report of a brush fire west of Moi Road shortly before noon on Monday.
Firefighters with the Hanapēpē, Kalāheo, and Waimea fire stations, Tanker 1, Air 1, Air 2, the Department of Public Works, Gay and Robison with a water tanker, a private contractor with a dozer, and other partners are responding to this incident.
Updates will be provided when more information becomes available.
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